Alumni spotlight: Fighting for climate sustainability through financial sustainability
Charlotte Lin is a sustainability manager with the Town of Avon, Colorado, who has a passion for issues regarding climate change. Although her career is rooted in local government, her drive to contribute meaningfully to nonprofit organizations led her to pursue the Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate from the Nonprofit Management Institute (NMI).
Through this program, she bridged her professional expertise with the needs of the Climate Psychology Alliance North America (CPA-NA). CPA-NA is a leading organization of mental health professionals in the U.S. and Canada addressing the psychological impacts of climate change, offering guidance and support to individuals, communities, and policymakers. The nonprofit brings together mental health professionals across North America to address the psychological dimensions of climate change. Their mission resonates deeply with her commitment to tackling the climate crisis through innovative and human-centered approaches.
Charlotte began her career focused on climate change after graduating with a degree in sustainability. Over time, her work intersected with human behavior and psychology, particularly as she transitioned into designing technology solutions. This interdisciplinary approach shaped her understanding of how people interact with climate issues.
Two years ago, she discovered CPA-NA and began volunteering as a grant writer. Her contributions, fueled by her public sector experience, quickly earned her a place on the nonprofit’s executive committee. “I felt like I didn’t belong initially because I’m not a psychologist, but my skills in grant writing and program development were a perfect fit,” she reflects.
Her desire to deepen her impact led her to the NMI certification program when she decided to invest in professional development to gain nonprofit-specific training. “The program was the ideal starting point—it was comprehensive and beginner-friendly while providing me with tools to grow beyond grant writing into managing a development program,” she shares.
One of the standout features of the course for Charlotte was its focus on strategic planning, which she successfully applied to CPA-NA. “Through the course, I guided our team in creating our first strategic plan, giving us the framework to align our actions with our mission.”
The program also challenged her with practical modules like financial planning and tax forms. “Initially, I found the accounting-related topics intimidating, but the instructors simplified the concepts. Now, I have the confidence and tools to address financial processes effectively.”
The certification has had a tangible impact on CPA-NA’s operations. Charlotte noted that the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts became more robust, particularly evident during the Giving Tuesday campaign, which saw increased participation and revenue compared to last year. “We’re on track to double our operational budget thanks to the strategies I learned in the course,” she proudly notes.
While balancing her role as a volunteer board member with a full-time government job and pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration, she admits time constraints are a challenge. Still, she emphasizes that the knowledge gained from the program has equipped her to make meaningful contributions despite her limited availability.
Charlotte believes the ability to connect an organization’s mission to sustainable funding is critical for nonprofits. “Nonprofit professionals are often driven by their hearts, but we need to think about financial sustainability too. The skills I’ve developed through this program are incredibly transferable and applicable across sectors.”
When asked what advice she would give to others considering the program, she says, “Practice is key. It’s important to find opportunities to apply what you’re learning, whether through volunteering or your current role. This helps bridge theory and action.”
By bridging her public-sector expertise with nonprofit best practices, Charlotte is driving meaningful change in her community and beyond. Her story shows that with the right tools and training, anyone can make an impact, one strategic plan, fundraising campaign, or grant application at a time.
While she doesn’t see herself pursuing a full-time career in the nonprofit sector, Charlotte plans to continue leveraging her skills at the intersection of public and private sectors. She also expressed interest in expanding her expertise through additional grant-writing training, recognizing the value of continuous learning in her professional journey.
Create a sustainable financial plan for your organization with the Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate
The Nonprofit Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate is for individuals who wish to gain additional knowledge and skills in fundraising, strategic planning, board governance, financial management and more! Course content includes the most highly relevant topics needed to lead and manage the fundraising efforts for a nonprofit organization.
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